Business Briefs - August 2, 2018

BLACKBAUD NAMED TO FORBES BEST EMPLOYERS FOR WOMEN 2018 LIST

Blackbaud, the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, has been named to Forbes America’s Best Employers for Women 2018 list. Blackbaud was specifically recognized in the IT/Internet software category for excellence in diversity, pay equity, professional development, family support and more.

“On behalf of our 3,400 employees around the world, we are honored to be named by Forbes to this important list,” said John Mistretta, executive vice president, human resources at Blackbaud. “This recognition is an encouraging acknowledgement of our committed focus on diversity and validates Blackbaud’s steadfast efforts to create an environment that enables women—and all employees—to realize their full potential, feel valued and do their best work. As a technology company, we are proud of the equal gender balance in our workforce, yet we know there is still progress to be made. By fostering a culture in which we live our values and promote diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace, we are able to better support the diverse ecosystem of social good that we serve.”

Blackbaud’s diversity program has been a focused and continually expanding effort, spanning education, awareness, recruitment, empowerment, community involvement and financial support, stated a press release. Many of Blackbaud’s female leaders give back to their communities, sharing their expertise in support of many important organizations and causes, including participation in the Global Women’s Mentorship Partnership program facilitated by the U.S. State Department and Fortune magazine; Camp Blackbaud STEM program for undeserved youth; Charleston Women in Tech; Impact Austin, a women’s philanthropic giving circle making major grants to nonprofits; the Women’s Impact Initiative; and more.

Blackbaud has also been recognized as one of Forbes’ “Best Mid-Size Employers” for three consecutive years and one of Forbes’ “Most Innovative Growth Companies.” In 2017, Blackbaud was named a Rising Star on Fortune’s prestigious “Change the World” list.

CRYPTO EQUITIES OPENS SATELLITE LOCATION IN DI/CAINHOY AREA

Chris Langlois of Nelliefield Plantation has opened a satellite location for Crypto Equities on the Cainhoy peninsula. The business is currently home-based, but Langlois hopes to open an office on Daniel Island soon with his business partner Garrett Krause.

Crypto Equities, Inc., is a merchant bank that focuses on the democratization and evolution of finance using smart contracts and blockchain technology to develop security token offerings also known as digital securities, stated a press release. The company aims to reshape traditional finance and address concerns with current utility token architecture by designing new asset-backed cryptocurrencies with integrated compliance to further a regulatory-friendly environment. Crypto Equities is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but also has a satellite location in New York, N.Y. in addition to Charleston.

Langlois left the Michigan winters “for warmth and sunshine in Charleston” back in February of 2011, he said. He worked for Benefitfocus as a deliver manager for roughly two and a half years before joining StormWorks Capital partners, which is an investment management group. Subsequently, he co-founded Crypto Equities as a way to capitalize on the evolution of finance by developing security tokens as digital securities. He and his wife, Amanda, have a two year-old daughter and another on the way.

To learn more about the company, visit www.CryptoEquities.io or email Langlois at clanglois@cryptoequities.io.

NEWS FROM TIGER CORNER FARMS

Daniel Island resident Stefanie Swackhamer, general manager of Tiger Corner Farms, has been named the keynote speaker for the South Carolina Farm to Institution Summit to be held Aug. 28-29 in Greenville. This year’s theme is “Planting Seeds of Innovation.”

Tiger Corner Farms designs and builds aeroponic farms housed inside recycled shipping containers. The company has officially broken ground on its new facility on Clements Ferry Road. The site, expected to be completed this October, will ultimately allow them to build several farm pods simultaneously as well as house their Vertical Roots farm pods, which will grow fresh produce to be distributed to local grocery stores. Vertical Roots currently provides fresh produce to Daniel Island-based Dockery’s restaurant from pods stationed at the location. Mayor John Tecklenburg and his wife, Sandy, took a tour of the Dockery’s site on June 21.

“He was very interested about the innovative work we are doing right here in Charleston,” noted Swackhamer of the mayor’s visit. “He had the opportunity to tour the farms and the brewery and then have lunch at Dockery’s after where he had salad made with fresh Vertical Roots lettuce harvested straight from the farms onsite! He was very impressed by our sister companies Tiger Corner Farms, Vertical Roots, and Boxcar Central. He also really enjoyed learning more about the brewery process and how the Boxcar software is applied there as well!”

BYO-GON, INC. EARNS USDA CERTIFIED BIOBASED PRODUCT LABEL

Byo-Gon, Inc. has earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label, according to CEO Ron Pote, a Daniel Island resident. The product, Byo-Gon PX-109®, is now able to display a unique USDA label that highlights its percentage of biobased content.

Third-party verification for a product’s biobased content is administered through the USDA BioPreferred Program, an initiative created by the 2002 Farm Bill (and most recently expanded by the 2014 Farm Bill). One of the goals of the BioPreferred Program is to increase the development, purchase and use of biobased products.

“In addition to our OMRI organic certification, USDA BioPreferred Program approval is another opportunity to showcase our natural products that improve wastewater treatment and soil health with an emphasis on utilizing the existing biological systems to maximize their effectiveness,” said Pote.

“We applaud Byo-Gon, Inc. for earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product label,” added Kate Lewis, USDA BioPreferred Program. “Products from Byo-Gon, Inc. are contributing to an ever expanding marketplace that adds value to renewable agriculture commodities, creates jobs in rural communities, and decreases our reliance on petroleum.”

Byo-Gon, Inc. manufactures and distributes a patented 100 percent natural biostimulant that enhances biological activity in wastewater treatment plants, home septic systems, restaurant grease traps, composting and soil amendments.